Suturing Device Needle Gripper Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current needle usage in medical procedures poses a risk of accidental needle stick injuries to healthcare workers, exposing them to bloodborne pathogens and requiring costly safety measures and potential treatment regimens.
Innovation Solution
A handheld suturing device with a mechanism for gripping and releasing the needle, allowing safe needle handling and automatic shielding, combined with a suture cutter for efficient suture management, reducing user exposure to the needle point and enhancing procedural safety and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional needle handling methods are used, then ease of operation is maintained, but safety risks increase due to accidental needle stick injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides needle handling into distinct phases using separate grippers: a first needle gripper for safe needle insertion and a second needle gripper for needle retrieval. This segmentation allows each gripper to be optimized for its specific function, improving safety while maintaining ease of operation through automated transitions between phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second needle grippers act as intermediaries between the user and the needle. The first gripper holds the needle during insertion, and the second gripper retrieves it, eliminating direct user contact with the sharp needle point and thereby improving safety without complicating the overall operation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If manual needle handling is used, then device complexity is minimized, but harmful factors increase due to exposure to bloodborne pathogens
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the needle lifecycle into distinct handling phases with dedicated grippers. The first gripper secures the needle during the high-risk insertion phase, while the second gripper retrieves it after use. This segmentation automatically manages needle safety without requiring complex additional mechanisms, thus reducing harmful factors with moderate complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The dual-gripper system operates automatically through the actuator mechanism, allowing the device to service itself in terms of needle handling. The grippers transition between holding and releasing states without direct user intervention, reducing exposure risk while keeping the operational interface simple.
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional suturing methods are used, then procedural accuracy depends on user skill, but trauma to patients increases due to manual handling
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs self-service in needle positioning and handling through its automated dual-gripper mechanism. The first gripper precisely positions the needle during insertion, and the second gripper retrieves it, reducing variability associated with manual handling and thereby reducing patient trauma while maintaining or improving procedural accuracy.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device minimizes accidental needle stick injuries, improves procedural accuracy, reduces trauma to patients, and offers cost-effective, versatile, and easy-to-use suturing capabilities suitable for various medical settings.
Implementation Method 1
the second linkage can include an energy storage mechanism that is configured to store energy during an inward stroke of the actuator and release the stored energy during one stage of an outstroke of the actuator
Implementation Method 2
the second linkage includes a one-way clutch that is operatively coupled to the actuator and is configured to synchronously alter the states of the first and second needle grippers
Implementation Method 3
The first linkage can include a plurality of gears that operatively couple the actuator to the second needle gripper such that motion of the actuator is translated into the second needle gripper rotating about a first pivot point
Implementation Method 4
motion of the actuator is translated into the second needle gripper rotating about a first pivot point between the fully extended position and a retracted positions
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 1E~1F
AI summary
A device for suturing tissue includes a handle including a housing and a suturing needle for advancing a suture through the tissue. The device also includes a first needle gripper that is configured to both grasp and release the suturing needle. A second needle gripper is also configured to both grasp and release the suturing needle. An actuator is coupled to the housing and is operatively coupled to: (a) a first linkage that pivots the second gripping gripper between a fully extended position and a retracted position relative to the housing; and (b) a second linkage that is operatively coupled to the first and second needle grippers and configured to alter a state of each of the first and second needle grippers. The second linkage can include a one-way clutch.